Families push 'Tommy's Law' after preventable death tied to life‑support equipment lapse

Lawmakers heard emotional testimony in support of legislation nicknamed “Tommy's Bill” that would require hospitals to share discharge plans for patients who rely on life‑support or monitoring equipment with the receiving residential nursing staff and to verify staff training on that equipment. Maureen Shea, the mother of Tommy, described how her son died within 12 hours of discharge after staff failed to check a seizure monitor’s battery. “Tommy did have a seizure that first night he was home from the hospital. My son passed within 12 hours after returning from the hospital,” Shea said.

Senator Patrick O'Connor and disability advocates told the committee the bill would require a nurse to review the hospital discharge plan, document understanding by signature, and train all direct care staff on the equipment and its maintenance—similar to medication training requirements already in place. Doreen Bridal, Tommy’s former case manager, asked that Department of Public Health regulations be updated to require staff sign‑offs at the start and end of shifts that equipment is functioning. Advocates said mandatory, documented “warm handoffs” between hospital and residential settings could prevent future tragedies and recommended clear regulatory language and training obligations.

Supporters noted the workforce pressures and turnover in residential settings and stressed that the bill is intended to build standard procedures and accountability rather than to single out individual programs. They urged the committee to pass the bill to ensure people returning home with life‑support equipment receive consistent, documented oversight.